Today I attended my 10th training camp practice (today I went just as a fan), not including the team scrimmage at Mile High last weekend. I know many of you have gone to camp as well, most have watched the preseason game and all of us are following the team closely.

So let's make our picks for who we think is going to end up on the final 53-man roster. Here's mine:

-Even though I have a special place in my heart for all CSU Rams, I just don't think Caleb Hanie has played well enough to make the team. With Weber still being eligible for the PS, I think they put him there and keep only 2 QBs. Given that we are very deep at RB, WR, DL and DB, keeping 2 only QBs frees up a valuable extra roster spot for someone else.

-While I haven't been at all impressed with him in camp or in the first preseason game, Brandon Stokley leaves over Peyton Manning's dead body. They have good chemistry together and while I think both Jason Hill and Matthew Willis are better players (not to mention younger) one of them is going to get cut.

-Knowshon Moreno doesn't really have a role on this team that makes him worth keeping. The top two - McGahee and Hillman - are set and, unlike Moreno, Johnson and Ball contribute on special teams. On a separate but somewhat related matter, I'm really worried about Ronnie Hilliman's incessant inability to stay healthy. His repeated "tweaks," "pulls" and "strains" just remind me too much of a Knowshon.

-The OL shakes out like it does because Kuper's injury requires us to be flexible. Franklin, Beadles, Ramirez and Davis can play multiple spots along the line. As we saw in 2008, and as I've seen in person at camp, Ryan Harris is elite pass blocker on the rare occasions that he's healthy. With Manning the coaching staff is going to put an emphasis on having OLs who can pass block and that's Harris' forte.

-The DL is kind of a clusterf*** (in a good way) and Fox/JDR will want guys who can play multiple positions depending upon the down and distance. Remember Von takes one DL spot in the nickel package. E.g., someone who is listed as a DT might play DE with almost as much frequency. Hunter's injury is currently pronounced as being "2 months" but it's a similar injury to what Warren had last year and Doom had the year prior, he's going to end up on IR.

-Things will get interesting once DJ and Green return from their suspensions. DJ is going to be out for 10 weeks in all likelihood (6 games for banned substances and likely 4 more games as a repeat offender for personal conduct relating to his DWAI) so that will give WW, Brooking and Trevathan time to make an impression. Green, however, will only be out 3 weeks, thus Julius Thomas has but 3 games to make an impression. He's done little in camp, was hurt much of last year and is still recovering from it but likely the coaches will keep him on the team based upon his potential (which is significant). But JT has to prove himself as a NFL-quality TE and do so quickly to keep his job. Green has looked really good as both a blocker and pass receiver in camp.

We're still more than 2 weeks away from cut down day so anything is possible especially considering 3 preseason games remain. But these are picks as of today. What about everyone else?_________________big_palooka:
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I thought CJ Davis had a good game last Thursday, but I don't think we would risk putting Philip Blake through waivers for him regardless of where they currently sit on the Depth Chart. Davis would likely go unsigned if he didn't make the 53, so we would more than likely be able to sign him midseason should we get any injuries.

I will make my own depth chart after the final preseason game (I am too rubbish to make one now)._________________

I thought CJ Davis had a good game last Thursday, but I don't think we would risk putting Philip Blake through waivers for him regardless of where they currently sit on the Depth Chart. Davis would likely go unsigned if he didn't make the 53, so we would more than likely be able to sign him midseason should we get any injuries.

I will make my own depth chart after the final preseason game (I am too rubbish to make one now).

You make a good point about Blake vis-a-vis waivers but Davis played in Carolina and I think Fox has soft spot for him, he trusts him as a veteran player who can play multiple spots along the line. And we all Fox's preferences for veterans over rookies.

What does rubbish mean in this context? If it means what I think it does then I was rubbish when I created this thread, and am more rubbish now as I just returned home from my bar._________________big_palooka:
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I thought CJ Davis had a good game last Thursday, but I don't think we would risk putting Philip Blake through waivers for him regardless of where they currently sit on the Depth Chart. Davis would likely go unsigned if he didn't make the 53, so we would more than likely be able to sign him midseason should we get any injuries.

I will make my own depth chart after the final preseason game (I am too rubbish to make one now).

You make a good point about Blake vis-a-vis waivers but Davis played in Carolina and I think Fox has soft spot for him, he trusts him as a veteran player who can play multiple spots along the line. And we all Fox's preferences for veterans over rookies.

What does rubbish mean in this context? If it means what I think it does then I was rubbish when I created this thread, and am more rubbish now as I just returned home from my bar.

Haha you are thinking too deeply about what I said mate - I just meant that I am too rubbish at predicting these kind of things to give the 53 man roster a shot this early in the preseason._________________

I agree mostly except matt Willis doesn't offer as much imo as receiver as Jason hill or even Robinson, I would hope we say bye to willis and either keep hill or pursue a fa wr yesi would take plax, 85, or even lee evens over Willis, same with lance ball hope he's gone although sadly; know he wont, would prefer we give Oman a shot or pursue grant if the price is reasonable , I agree with hill man I was so excited when he was taken now I'm feeling as tho he's just a good looking chandelier.

I am surprised that they haven't tried Ball at FB? He isn't real fast but can block and will try to run through a brick wall if ask too. I am not impressed with either of Denver's FB's.
I see the hate for Moreno and Ayers came out again! lol

AAA- I think your list is pretty close but there are a few players I disagree with you on.
First, Syd Q Thompson is not making this team. We are not keeping 6 corners. I would bet anything on this.
While my wish is for Lance Ball to be the odd man out with both Johnson and Moreno making it ahead of him, you have to reward a guy who plays hard, and does all the little things even if he has no talent. Johnson is the guy I see being cut. As much as I know you dislike him, Moreno is making this team. Also not so sure Gronkowski makes it. What has he done thus far in camp?
We are going to keep 4 tight ends when Green comes back. This team will give Thomas one last year to try and put it together. He has too much potential to sneak on the practice squad. Green is also too good to be cut.
There is also a chance we go with 6 line backers and if Brooking's hammy continues to keep him on the sideline, I can see him being cut.
Finally, I dont see Unrein making this team. He is basically the Lance Ball of the D line. Either Siliga makes it ahead of him or we go with 8 D linemen- particularly since we have a lot of versatile guys on the line. Jackson, Siliga and Unrein are probably battling for one spot.

Despite the Moreno hate, no way a healthy Moreno is cut in favor of Johnson. Worst case, they decide to move on and trade him. Could definitely get a later round pick from him. I've been banished to NY, and I can tell you that Moreno would be the number 2 back for the Jets tomorrow.

I think paul-Mac had us keeping 11DB's. Don't see that happening. Nor do I see us keeping only 2 TE's. Pretty sure Thomas sticks at least until Green gets back.

I've read everything I can, but have seen nothing, so I'm really going grom history. Having said that, I'd LIKE to see: Oman instead of Ball (ball just way too mediocre), hill or one of the kids instead of Stokes, and Sylvester instead of Gronk. Also, would just as soon thy keep ANY WARM BODY vs wasting a roster spot on Hanie.

First, Syd Q Thompson is not making this team. We are not keeping 6 corners. I would bet anything on this.

Squid is a bubble player no doubt. Plus there's no way they're cutting Champ, Porter, Florence, Harris or Bolden (and there's NO WAY Bolden clears waivers to the PS). But, if we keep 6 CBs, which I think we will as Bolden can return kicks and Squid is our best (only? and they're not using Decker for that role) punt returner.

mke1010 wrote:

While my wish is for Lance Ball to be the odd man out with both Johnson and Moreno making it ahead of him, you have to reward a guy who plays hard, and does all the little things even if he has no talent. Johnson is the guy I see being cut. As much as I know you dislike him, Moreno is making this team.

My prediction that Moreno gets cut has nothing to do with "not liking him" but rather my expectation of what Fox will do. As I said, Ball and Johnson will play on ST while Moreno cannot. When it comes down to the final handful of spots on the team, a player's ability to play on special teams is often a decisive factor. Does Moreno really contribute something that McGahee, Hillman and Ball/Johnson do not? There's nothing special about him. Ball is reliable and Johnson can contribute as a 3rd down back when Hillman is hurt (which is almost all the time) and, unlike Moreno, contribute on special teams.

mke1010 wrote:

Also not so sure Gronkowski makes it. What has he done thus far in camp?

What has Sylvester done? Gronkowski has been running as the #1 FB for all of camp. Barring something unforeseen, he makes the team.

mke1010 wrote:

We are going to keep 4 tight ends when Green comes back. This team will give Thomas one last year to try and put it together. He has too much potential to sneak on the practice squad. Green is also too good to be cut.

I don't think I said otherwise. I just said the team will have a tough decision to make prior to week 4. That could mean cutting an excess RB, DL, DB, WR or, yes possibly, a TE.

mke1010 wrote:

There is also a chance we go with 6 line backers and if Brooking's hammy continues to keep him on the sideline, I can see him being cut.

Oh of course there's a chance that we keep only 6 LBs. However, Fox and JDR respect the hell out of DJ Williams as a football player and know there isn't anyone, or any combination of anyone, who can contribute to his level at the WLB position. Thus I expect they'll use a WLB-by-committee arrangement. We all know how much Fox loves his veterans and, if he can find his way onto the field, I think Brooking finds a way to make this team as part of that committee.

mke1010 wrote:

Finally, I dont see Unrein making this team. He is basically the Lance Ball of the D line. Either Siliga makes it ahead of him or we go with 8 D linemen- particularly since we have a lot of versatile guys on the line. Jackson, Siliga and Unrein are probably battling for one spot.

Lance Ball and Mitch Unrein are the two most under-respected and under-appreciated players on this team. True neither is flashy but both are the kind of lunch pail players that old school coaches like Fox love, and ones that all great teams have. Siliga can make it past waivers to the PS and it's good to have depth there than be thin at a position for which there are no true "starters" but rather a rotation.

I hope you can pick your final 53 soon and, come September 2nd, we can compare. _________________big_palooka:
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